When You Finally Arrive In Heaven

which biblical characters would you like to sit down with for a good conversation. All believers undoubtedly long to meet Jesus. Beyond that lists would take many forms Let's consider three Old Testament characters who will be fascinating to meet.

First, there are some sailors. These men were on a ship heading to Tarshish with Jonah on board. In dealing with this reluctant prophet the Lord stirred up the sea with a wind that was so strong it threatened to destroy the ship (Jonah 1:4). The sailors cast lots to see who was responsible for bring this disaster upon them. Jonah was identified as the guilty party. To stop the storm he told the sailors to throw him into the sea. The sailors were hesitant to take this action but ultimately they had no choice. Immediately the storm ended (see Jonah 1:11-15).

The sailors response was whole-hearted and spontaneous. They “offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him" (Jonah 1:16). That day those ancient mariners became a part of the household of God.

Another character with a fascinating story to tell will be Rahab. Before attacking Jericho, Joshua sent two men to spy out the vicinity. Rahab hid them from the city officials. In return the spies promised her protection when Israel attacked the city (see Josh. 2:1-14).

Her story will be fascinating as she describes life in Jericho before the battle. Scripture tells us that the city and the entire nation were terrified of the armies of Israel (Josh 2:9). It will be interesting to find out what factors motivated her to risk her life to protect the spies. In time she married well and became the mother of Boaz (see Ruth 2:1) making her the great, great, grandmother of King David thereby putting her in the direct line of Jesus.

A third interesting person to meet will be king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He is a person we would never have expected to experience a relationship with God Most High. The story chronicling his journey from a virtual mad-man to saint will be spell binding.

He was a vicious and proud man. Those in his royal court were frightened of him. A chief-of-staff when confronted with a difficult situation admitted that he was afraid of the king (Dan. 1:10). His fear was well founded as on another occasion the king had threatened his astrologers with death and the destruction of their homes (Dan. 2:5) if they didn’t comply with a request of his. Finally, his pride led to God's judgment. Seven years of insanity (see Dan 4:32-33)! Judgment fell as he was proclaiming that the incredibly beautiful city of Babylon was built by his own might to display his own majestic splendour (Dan 4:30).

The seven years of discipline made a profound change in Nebuchadnezzar. When his sanity returned he "praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever" (Dan 4:34). These are the words of a man who has met God. How interesting it will be find out Daniel’s role in turning the king's life around.

There will be millions of people whose “God” stories we will want hear in the heavenly kingdom. It will take an eternity to hear all of them and, come to think about it, that is about the amount of time we will have available.

Copyright. Bruce October 2006

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.